The paper explores how the comparison of binary opposition mind vs. body, which arises from the Cartesian notion of cognition, and opposition culture vs. nature reveals gender imbalances that can be found in the core of patriarchal society. By gendering the interpretations of realism and naturalism, the aim is to uncover this traditional social system as a hegemonic one, which is exemplified on the basis of male-female relationships in the rural character novel. Female characters analysis in Duga (1906) by Dinko Šimunović, Breza (1928) and Svoga tijela gospodar (1931) by Slavko Kolar answer why female characters in these novels are naturalized, weak or silent subjects.

cognition/mind; body; feminist epistemology; nature; culture; ecofeminism; patriarchy; biological and social determinism; Dinko Šimunović; Slavko Kolar